I watch every day and night as Mariana and Richard talk and meet. Just a word from her will bring him running to wherever we are.

As good looking as he is, I can't believe he'll allow a young lady to treat him that way.

The night Mariana told me about his proposal, I felt my life crushing down. It wasn't only because I like him, but because he deserves someone better. Mariana is a nice girl. I don't know how and why she's putting on this behavior.

Having two guys at a time, is never her thing. She's changing. She wasn't one to demand for things from guys but since Richard showed up, she's been more than demanding for things.

He's been so gentle and kind with her. Not only does he show up every night to say good night, he's always there whenever she calls him.

At times I feel like he knows her more than I do. Just two weeks, and he's been acting as if he knows her more than I do.

She goes out with one and when the other shows up behind the door, I'll be the one to lie again. Sometimes I feel like I'm the cheat.

And as I'm sitting right now, Eben is seated beside me playing scrabbles. He's fun to play scrabbles with. I had to lie to him while Mariana went out to have fun with Richard.

"Don't you think Ana is late today? She left her phone too," he said as I try to ignore him.

"You know how some lecturers are. Maybe she had so many mistakes in her essay. I'm sure by now she'll be on her way."

Which I pray she doesn't bring Richard inside. And I hope you don't see how your girlfriend has turned out to be.

"I hope she comes soon. I'm getting worried. Hey, why are you cheating?"

"Cheating? What do you mean by I'm cheating?" I asked. I know i  cheated...so he'll stop asking me about her.

"I saw you when you pressed on hint. I can't believe you cheated. You normally win and I don't know why you pressed on the hint button since your letters were very easy to form."

I sigh and brought my tongue out. He hates it when I do that. I laugh as I see him mouthing, "Grow up," to me.

An hour later, Eben and I hear a car parking outside our apartment. He tries to get up as I stop him. I don't want him walking in on them kissing or doing something else.

"Wait, it is this same room she'll be entering. Don't make it too obvious you miss her."

"When i entered the compound, I saw her car parked. So I just want to see what car she brought in."

"Come on, which car do you think brought her?"

Before he can answer, the door bust open and she walks in with so much joy. Eben looks at her from head to toe. I would have to come up with a better lie next time.

"Hey you are here. Have you been waiting for long? There was traffic also. You know..."

"How did it go with the lecturer? I bet he made you write every single thing again. I'll suck in my chair if that were to happen to me you know that," I quickly said and as smart as she is, she catches up.

"Oh you have no idea. It was so much. He told me he wouldn't let me go until I finish everything and then when I finished there was traffic on the way."

Eben looks at us silently for a while and looks at Mariana with his attention fully on her.

"And is this how you dress up when you go out to meet your lecturers?"

"Oh no, we had a family get together but I couldn't stay for long because Roselyn called me to tell me about the lecturer wanting to meet me before the close of the day."

"And so he took the trouble to drop you off."

"No. Come on Eben. What are you insinuating? It's just someone who lived down the streets. He's really funny."

"If you don't mind I'll like to go to my room."

God, I feel so bad having to lie to cover up for her. She's definitely going to be the death of me. He's sensing something. I know how much she loves Eben. It will break my heart if I see them breaking up.

I hear the front door close and I know he's gone.

"Thanks. I don't know what I'll do without you."

"I know. I'm off to bed. I have lectures tomorrow... Oh, we have lectures tomorrow."

I know she wants to tell me what happened when she went out with Richard. But I don't think I have the heart to listen.

             ***

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Thanks sweetie YourPsychodreams for the book cover.

Special thanks to Lacus1558 jackshaz wayraluna